Purpose. The residents of Portage County, whether served by private wells or municipal supplies, depend exclusively on groundwater for a safe drinking water supply. Certain land use practices and activities can seriously threaten or degrade groundwater quality. The purpose of this Wellhead Protection Ordinance is to institute land use regulations and restrictions to protect the municipal water supplies of the Villages of Amherst, Junction City, Plover and Whiting, and the City of Stevens Point, and to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the residents of Portage County.

Authority. Statutory authority of the County to enact these regulations was established by the Wisconsin Legislature in 1983, Wisconsin Act 410 (effective May 11, 1984), which specifically added groundwater protection to the statutory authorization for municipal planning and zoning to protect public health, safety and welfare. This section is adopted pursuant to the authorization in Wis. Stats. § 59.69.